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Vol. 9, No. 34, Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Lamont High School’s Class of 2014
MICHELLE PINON PHOTO
Members of the 2014 graduating class at Lamont HIgh School in all their finery for the official class photo taken on June 14. Michelle Pinon Editor
“Dare to chase your biggest dreams, dare to chase your chosen career, dare to excel, dare to go the extra mile, and dare to make your mark in the world.” Those were just a few of the heartfelt words Robert Malica, Lamont County councillor and father of graduate Brayden, spoke during his speech to the class of 2014 on Friday, June 13 at the podium on stage in the Lamont High School (LHS) gymnasium. “Where you grow up and attend school greatly shapes who you are.
Remember who has been there through all the good times and bad. You must thank your family, teachers and friends for encouraging you to dare to dream to be all that you can be and to continue to create stories in your life,” stated Malica. “I have had the pleasure to get to know many of these graduates throughout the years. I cannot believe how fast time flies, it seems like yesterday that I was sitting on this exact stage, oh wait, I’m getting old! I graduated almost 30 years ago, and now I’m here celebrating with my youngest son Brayden and his fellow graduates,” added Malica. “One story may end
but there are many more to be written. Keep the stories throughout elementary, junior and senior high school close to you. Take a moment to reflect on all that you have achieved and the stories you have made. Appreciate just how far all of you have come. It’s a big accomplishment!” No matter what direction you decide to take, Malica told the graduates just to be sure that it is the story you want to add to their collection. He also encouraged the graduates to stay true to themselves and what they have learned over the years as they step boldly into the future that awaits. There were other
words of sage advice and well wishes sent to the graduates on behalf of Principal Sharon McLean, Elk Island Public Schools (EIPS) trustee Colleen Holowaychuk, EIPS Superintendent Bruce Beliveau, Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jacquie Fenske, and Town of Lamont Mayor Bill Skinner. Lamont High’s Librarian Rose Konsorada was the inspirational speaker of the evening, and she also had words of advice and expressed her gratitude for spending the last 25 years as the school’s librarian. “I have and always will be proud of all my children,” said
Konsorada, who wished them luck and success and reminded them all to come back to the library and update her on their special journey’s and where life has taken them. Konsorada shared with the graduates and audience members that she never expected to be where she is now. Konsorada graduated from LHS in 1973, and said that even though she wound up where she least expected, it was “exactly where I should have been” all along. Mathmatics teacher Allan Hope gave the official reply from the teachers, and took the time to describe some of the qualities and special
memories he has of the graduates and to wish them well in the future. He threw in a few math jokes for good measure which had all of the graduates laughing beside him while he was on stage. Then it was time for the presentation of the composite of the graduation class, and presentation of 41 certificates and roses by Principal Sharon McLean and Assistant Principal Garry Russell. Expressing a great deal of collected relief and pure happiness, the graduates departed the stage to officially close the Commencement Ceremonies.